Tool for belt loading preengraved projectiles with cartridge cases



June 2, 1953 F. R. SIMPSON 2,640,387

TOOL FOR BELT LOADING PREENGRAVED PROJECTILES WITH CARTRIDGE CASES Filed May 28, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Frank 1?..51'mpsn 1 W June 2, 1953 F. R. SIMPSON 7 TOOL FOR BELT LOADING PREENGRAVED PROJECTILES WITH CARTRIDGE CASES Filed May 28, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3 HAM/MM Frank. R -Eaimpaun WWMM Patented June 2, 1953 TOOL FOR BELT LOADING PREENGRAVED PROJECTI LES WITH CARTRIDGE CASES Frank R. Simpson, Upper Darby, Pa., assignor to the United States of America. as represented by the Secretary of the Army Application Mam, 1951, Serial No. 228,614

Claims. 1

Pre engraved projectiles are formed with helically-disposed splines on their exterior surface and have a smooth, pressure-tight fit between the grooves of the rifiing of the barrel. The advantages inherent in the use of such pre-engraved projectiles are (1) elimination of the soft metal driving band otherwise necessary; (2) a greatreduction in friction as the projectile traverses the barrel; (3) greater muzzle velocity and range over a conventional projectile for the same propelling charge; and (4) reduction in wear per round fired and longer life of the barrel.

On the other hand the use of pre-engraved projectiles introduces difficulties in loading, particularly with rapid-fire guns where the cartridges are in the form of a belt or are held in fixed relation in clips. In such rapid-fire guns, due to the extremely high velocities attained in ramming the cartridges into and extracting the empty casings from the breech, it is necessary that each cartridge be gripped or engaged by the loading or ramming mechanism in such a way that the cartridge is rammed into the breech with each spline on its projectile in registry or in mesh with the rear end of a groove of the rifling of the barrel. This is necessary because otherwise the projectile or bullet may jam in the barrel, with a possible break-down of the weapon or serious consequences to the operating personnel.

The foregoing requirement is met, first by providing the head of each cartridge case with a notch, groove, lug, or other indexing device offset from the central axis and which coacts with the ramming or loading mechanism to retain the cartridge in a known fixed angular relation with respect to the gun barrel during at least the final ramming movement and initial extraction; secondly, by assembling each cartridge so that the notch or index on its head has a certain rotational or angular relation to the splines of the bullet, which relation insures that the splines upon the bullet will freely enter or mesh between the initial portions of the lands of the barrel rifling; and, thirdly by inserting each round or cartridge into its belt or clip in the same predetermined angular positionsuch that it will be fed to and gripped by the loading mechanism in the aforesaid fixed angular relation and thus rammed into the barrel with its projectile in the proper meshing relation with the rifling. r

This invention relates to a device for assemblying cartridges having splined or PI E projectiles in a belt in such a manner that each 2 will have the proper rotational position as it passes into the gun, to be gripped by the loading mechanism in the aforesaid fixed angular relation and properly rammed or propelled into the breech for firing,

It is therefore the principle object to provide an instrument for loading cartridges into a belt in predetermined rotational position with respect to the direction of travel of the belt as it passes through the gun.

Another object is to provide an instrument adapted to load or assemble a belt of the so-called disintegrating type wherein each cartridge or round is positionedwith the index of its case in predetermined fixed rotational position with respect to the clip which receives and grips it, so that the splines of each projectile will be properly axially translated into the breech and the possibility of jamming or malfunctioning of the gun eliminated.

Other objects and advantages will be clear from a study of the following detailed description in connection with the drawing.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the invention showing the position of the parts after a series of eight cartridges has been forced into the lines to thereby complete a section of an ammunition belt of indeterminate length.

Fig. 2 is a sectional detail view to an enlarged scale, taken upon the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of one end of the pusher bar shown in cross section in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4. is a rear elevation of a cartridge case showing the notch in its rim.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the linker, and

Fig. 6 is a cross section to an enlarged scale upon the line 6-6, Fig.1.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the numeral I identifies a base having feet la on its under surface and lugs 2 and 3 at its respective upper corners as viewed upon Fig. 1 to pivot the respective ends of a generally U-shaped operating lever 4 as by means of pivot pins 5. The upper surface of the plate has a plurality of spaced parallel ridges lb defining between them a number of channels 6, shown as eight in number in the model illustrated. Each channel is adapted to receive and guide a cartridge comprising a casing C having a notch N in the periphery of its head, and a splined projectile P. Each ridge terminates at its forward end in an upward projection or lug I. These lugs are laterally spaced 2. distance to receive, with a smooth fit therebetween, the forward reduced ends of the cartridge A slide or push bar 9 is mounted upon base I for forward and rear translation only. This restriction as to movement is effected inany suitable way as by portions I ll secured tothe respec tive ends of the bar and extending about and beneath the side edges of the base. The bar} has two pairs of rearwardly-extending lugs H and I2. Links I 3 and hi extend at one end between the respective pairs of lugs and are pivotally connected therewith by pins 15. The rear ward endsof the links are pivotally-connected with. lever or bail 4 as by pins H6 at points forwardly of pivot pins to give the necessary movement or stroke to bar 9 when bail 4 is pivoted about 66 upwardly from the position shown upon Fig. 1, that is, until lugs II and 12 in their rearward movement, strike lugs 2 and 3, respectively. 1

As shown in Fig. 2, the top surface of bar 9 is.

planar and a little above the level of the tops of-the cartridges as they-rest in channelsE. An aligning strip or rod I1 is secured to thetop face of bar 9, as by screws [8 and has equallyspaced lugs or keys [9 integral with the forward part of its lower surface. The rear faces of these lugs are coplanar in a plane normal to the lower face of the aligning. strip or rod and the rod is secured to the'bar 8 with the-rear faces of the lugs in contact with the forward face or wall of the bar. The spacing of the lugs IQ is the same as the spacing between successive cartridges in the assembled belt and the bar is so positioned that each lug will enter the notch N of a respective cartridge case when the cartridge is properly positioned in its channel 6, that is, inthe model shown, positioned with its notch uppermost, as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

Each cartridge case is assembled with its'preengraved bullet in such an angular relation that when the cartridge is extracted from'the belt, positioned in the bolt and rammed into the barrel with notch N upward, the engraving or splines upon the bullet will enter smoothly between the rear ends of the lands of the rifled barrel whereby loading is effected merely by a straight axial translation of the cartridge into the breech. In my copending application, Serial Number 227,035, filed May 18, 1951 for Tool for Assembly of l re-Engraved Projectiles with Car'- tridge Cases, I have disclosed an apparatus/for correctly assemblying each bullet in its case to effect the purpose herein described.

In using the present linker or belt-assembly device, bail 4 is raised to its maximum position a little to the rear of the vertical, a set of nine links A are positioned as shown in Fig. 1, between the projections '11 and pins 8. As will be obvious from this figure, one of the links may be the final one of'that portion of the belt previously assembled. A series of eight cartridges are laid in respective channels 5, each with its notch N fitting a corresponding lug l9 and bail 4 is moved forwardly and downwardly, thus forcing .each cartridge into position pivotally 4 connecting a pair of links to the final positions shown upon Fig. 1. As each lug It remains in a respective notch N during this movement the cartridges are prevented from rotation and each is moved into the belt and gripped by the outer loops of the clip with its notch in fixed angular relation wherein the notches will ,be uppermost as the belt is fed into the machine gun.

If desired the extractor of the gun may be provided with a lug corresponding to l'ugs l9 and so positioned as to fit within the notch N of each cartridge as the extractor snaps over the head thereof preparatory to drawing it from the belt.

Thus each cartridge will be laterally translated bythe extractor into 'the T-slot of the bolt, with thenotchuppermost. The bolt will then frictionally hold the cartridge against axial rotation during ramming of the cartridge into the breech and extraction therefrom.

By this construction I have provided a tool by which cartridges having pre-engraved projectiles may be assembled into a belt with the notch or other indexing means formed in or upon the case head, in definite fixed angular relationwith the belt links, whereby the .pre-engraved bullet is fed into barrel in proper rotational-relation with the lands and grooves of its rifiing. In the so-oalled disintegrating type of belt here shown, the cartridge cases themselves form the pivot for contiguous'links. Each link has three loops. Two of these are axially spaced to receivethe single ofiset loop of the next adjacent link. The two aligned loops form a snug fit about the cartridge case and cooperate with-the case to limit and determinethe position thereof axially with respect to-the link. The third or remaining loop fits loosely about thecartridge case. Hence, when a cartridge such as the pre-engraved type here disclosed, is assembled to pivotally connect a pair of links, it pivots as a unit with-that one of its linkshaving its two loops fitting snugly thereabout. Consequently, each cartridge maintains the same rotational position with respect to the center line of the belt that it had at assembly.

By forcing each cartridge into the aligned loops of its one clip in proper predetermined rotational position, the extractor grips the case and feeds it into the T-slot of the bolt in the proper position so that-the splines of the bullet will"mesh" evenly and smoothly with the grooves of the barrel.

In the claims, the term cooperative relation as referred to the belt links, means a position of thelinks wherein each GOUbIG'IOOp' of one'link embraces and is axially aligned'with the single loop of the next adjacent link so that the two links may be pivotally interconnected by a cartridge thrust axially-into the aligned loops.

While I have disclosed the preferred form of the invention as now known to me, various modifications will occur to those skilled in the art after a study of'the foregoing description. Hence the disclosure should 'be taken in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense'for it is .my desire and intention to reserve all changes falling'withcartridges each in alignment with a respective loop formed by adjacent links, a pusher bar, means mounting said bar for contact with the heads of all said cartridges to axially force the same into their respective links, and means carried by said pusher bar and engaging said index means, to prevent axial rotation of the cartridges during assembly into a belt.

2. In a tool for the assembly into a belt of cartridges having pro-engraved bullets and cases with index means in fixed circumferential position thereon, a base, equally-spaced parallel upstanding flanges on said base in side-by-side relation to form cartridge-receiving channels therebetween, said flanges being formed at their forward ends to engage and prevent axial forward movement of belt links positioned in cooperative relation in said channels, a slide, means mounting said slide on said base for translation only along, over and'in a path parallel with said flanges, means carried by said slide and engaging the index means of the cartridges in said channels, to prevent axial rotation of the cartridges when said slide is translated forwardly on said base and the cartridges are in predetermined rotational position in said channels, and means operable to translate said slide to simultaneously engage the heads of all the cartridges and to force each into the aligned loops of a respective pair of links.

3. In a tool for linking a machine gun belt of the disintegrating type with cartridges having splined bullets, each cartridge having a radially offset groove in its head, a base, means on said base to receive a plurality of cartridges in parallel side-by-side relation and to guide the same for axial forward movement into linking engagement with the respective aligned loops of adjacent links, a pusher bar, means mounting said bar on said base for translation only axially of cartridges, an aligning strip carried by said bar, lugs on said bar each positioned to fit the groove in a respective cartridge when the latter is positioned on said base in predetermined rotational position, and means carried by said base and operable to move said bar and strip to simultaneously engage the heads of the cartridges and force each into position pivotally connecting a respective pair of links on said base.

4. In a tool for assembly of pre-engraved cartridges into a machine-gun belt of the disintegrating type, each cartridge having a pre-engraved bullet and a notched head, a generally flat base, spaced parallel ridges in side-by-side relation fixed to said base and defining a plurality of channels, each ridge being formed at its forward end to engage and prevent forward axial movement of a plurality of belt links positioned in cooperative relation within the respective channels, each channel being formed to receive and guide a cartridge for axial movement, a pusher bar connected with said base for translation only along and over said ridges, said bar having a plane forward face, an aligning strip secured to top of said bar and having spaced lugs extending downwardly over the forward face of said pusher bar, each lug being positioned to enter the notch of a respective cartridge to prevent axial rotation thereof when said pusher bar and strip are forwardly translated, and means operable to move said pusher bar forwardly to axially force each cartridge into interconnecting pivotal relation with a respective pair of links.

5. In a tool for linking a machine gun belt of the disintegrating type with cartridges each of which has a pre-engraved bullet and a notched casing rim, a base, means carried by said base to position a plurality of looped belt links in side by side cooperative relation, means to restrict forward axial movement of the links so positioned, means on said base to position a plurality of said cartridges in parallel side-by-side cooperative relation, means to restrict forward axial movement of the links so positioned, means on said base to position a plurality of said cartridges in parallel side-by-side relation, each for axial movement into interpivoting relation with a respective pair of links, and means translatably mounted on said base to engage and simultaneously move all said cartridges into interpivoting relation with the said links, said last named means including a plurality of keys each adapted to fit the notch of a respective cartridge rim to prevent axial rotation thereof, when said cartridges are positioned on said base with said notch uppermost, whereby said belt is assembled with each notch in the same predetermined angular relation with respect to its link.

FRANK R. SIMPSON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,403,419 Knight Jan. 10, 1922 1,456,154 Shaw May 22, 1923 1,468,870 Rockwell Sept. 25, 1923 

